Unit for mounting plumbing fixtures

ABSTRACT

It is proposed that a profiled section that, subsequent to its fabrication, has a channel that is fully enclosed on all sides be employed for holding hygienic articles. The channel is arranged on the rear of a front wall of the profiled section such that will be initially concealed from view. The channel borders on the front wall of the profiled section. Incorporating a slot into the front wall of the profiled section will open the channel over a certain portion of its length. A hygienic article may be held in place in the resultant undercut slot.

[0001] The invention relates to an installation unit for plumbingfixtures, in particular, for holding hygienic articles, which might, forexample, be a holder for a shower head that might, if desired, also bemounted such that the height of the shower head will be adjustable.Other articles that might be, or are to be, mounted thereon are shelves,holders for toothbrush glasses, or similar.

[0002] A shower-head holder that employs an elongated profiled sectionis already known (cf. German Patent DE 7908437 U). The profiled sectionhas a longitudinal slot in its front wall that extends over its fulllength and merges into a semicircular channel on the inner surface ofthe profiled section. A rider on which a hand-held shower head may bemounted fits into the slot and may be slid along the slot. The profiledsection is open at the rear and may be mounted on a wall.

[0003] A device for holding a shower head or hand-held shower head suchthat its vertical position may be continuously adjusted is also known(cf. German Patent DE 7921329 U). That device has a profiled sectionwhose cross-section resembles that of a straight strip having a channelhaving a rectangular-cross-section attached to its outer surface. A slotin the front wall of the channel extends through the strip. A holderextends through the slot and grips the inner walls of the channel.

[0004] A device for arranging a shower head such that its height may beadjusted, where the shower head may be slid along a vertical rod mountedon a wall, is also known (cf. German Patent DE 2601059). The rod has arear slot through which the holder for the shower head is fastened to arider arranged inside the rod.

[0005] In the case of another, known, shower unit having a shower headwhose height is adjustable (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,963), a holder forthe shower head is arranged inside a section of hollow, profiled stocksuch that it may be slid along the section of hollow, profiled stock. Ahose is arranged inside the section of hollow profiled stock.

[0006] The problem addressed by the invention is creating a simplydesigned and inexpensive-to-manufacture holder for hygienic articlesthat may be adapted to suit the requirements of individual installationssubsequent to its manufacture.

[0007] In order to solve that problem, the invention proposes a holderhaving those features stated in claim 1. Elaborations of the inventionare covered in the subclaims.

[0008] The opening, which may be elongated, in the front wall of thesection of profiled stock that will be present when the installationunit has been final-manufactured allows accessing the channel arrangedin the interior of the section of profiled stock. Various articles,which may protrude outward, through the opening, may be attached to thechannel.

[0009] The channel may transport water. Water lines may be connected toits ends or front or rear walls.

[0010] Once the installation unit has been final-manufactured, theprofiled outer surface of its profiled section will have at least oneopening providing access to the channel arranged on the rear of itsprofiled outer surface. The opening may be used for attaching a hygienicarticle. The opening may be a small opening that, for example, will betotally obscured by the hygienic article. However, it may also be alongitudinal slot extending along the length of the profiled sectionthat may be used for holding one or more shower heads or overhead showerheads.

[0011] In accordance with the invention, an elaboration thereof mayprovide that the opening extends over only part of the length of theprofiled section.

[0012] In accordance with the invention, it may also be provided thatthe profiled section is assembled from at least two profiled sectionsarranged end to end, in which case, the opening may be arranged oneither one or the other of the profiled sections, or, of course, on bothof them.

[0013] In accordance with the invention, it may be provided that theslot extends over the full length of the profiled section once theprofiled section has been final-manufactured or extends over the fulllength of the profiled section and is subsequently closed over part ofits length by at least one cover. An opening that extends only over partof the length of the profiled section and/or installation unit may becreated in this manner. Of course, several openings may also be createdin this manner.

[0014] The cover employed for limiting the length of the opening may,for example, be mounted on the outer surface of the profiled section.

[0015] However, it will also be feasible, and is proposed by theinvention, to provide that the cover will be in the form of a strip, arod, or similar inserted into the channel from, for example, its frontedge. Part of this strip may then form the cover that closes the slotwith within. In particular, the cover may be a rod that totally fillsthe cross-section of the channel.

[0016] An elaboration of the invention may provide that the channel isfully enclosed on all sides over the full length of the profiled sectionwhen the profiled section has been final-manufactured and the openingcreated later by, for example, machining or using a grinder.

[0017] In this latter case, the profiled section is initially fabricatedsuch that the channel remains fully enclosed on all sides and is openonly at the upper and/or lower end the profiled section. If the profiledsection is to be installed at a certain location, then the visible sideof its profiled surface will initially have no opening for the channel.The holder may thus be used such that no opening will be visible.

[0018] An elaboration of the invention may provide that thecross-section of the channel is shaped such that its lateral dimensioninitially increases beyond the bounding wall formed by the profiledsurface, which may, for example, be provided for by providing that thechannel has a semicircular cross-section that borders on the boundingwall of the profiled section.

[0019] In accordance with the invention, an elaboration of the inventionmay provide that the profiled section and the at least one channel aresymmetrically arranged, which, in the case of a single channel, wouldmean, for example, that the channel is arranged midway between twolateral edges of the profiled section.

[0020] In order to mount a given hygienic article on the profiledsection such that it may be removed, in accordance with the invention,it may be provided that the channel is opened by a slot in the profiledsurface of the profiled section for accommodating the hygienic articleextending over a certain portion of the length of the profiled section,where the slot may be very short if the height of the hygienic articledoes not need to be adjusted. However, the slot might also be long iffacilities for mounting the hygienic article at various, continuouslyadjustable, heights are to be provided.

[0021] In accordance with the invention, it may be provided that theslot is undercut in order that the hygienic article may be clamped tothe edges of the slot or clamped in the channel.

[0022] In particular, it may be provided that the hygienic article maybe mounted such that it may be slid over the full length of the slot.Clamps that may be used for holding it in place or a tight fit mayprovide that the hygienic article will clamp itself in position due to aslight tilting of its rider in the channel due to its weight.

[0023] As mentioned above, the channel extends over the full length ofthe profiled section, which has the advantage that the profiled sectionmay be simply fabricated by, for example, extrusion. It will thus befeasible to open the channel by means of solitary slots arranged atseveral locations, which will allow mounting various hygienic articlesat various heights on the same channel.

[0024] In order to allow mounting an overhead shower head, it may beprovided that at least one slot extends to the upper end of the profiledsection. The overhead shower head may then, for example, be insertedinto the channel from above and the upper end of the profiled sectionclosed by a cap.

[0025] It will also be feasible, and is proposed by the invention, toprovide that at least one slot has a broadened section for inserting ahygienic article that, for example, may be covered once the hygienicarticle has been inserted. It is also imaginable that a holder for ahygienic article might be shaped such that it may be inserted into aslot having no broadened section for inserting such, where its latchinginto position may then be provided by a spreading, tilting, or similaraction after it has been inserted.

[0026] It has been mentioned above that a channel may be opened atseveral locations in order to allow mounting several hygienic articles.However, mounting and/or guiding a hygienic article in several channelswill also be feasible and fall under the invention. For example, ashelf, which may be relatively wide, may be mounted on several, parallelchannels, and may also be mounted such that its height will beadjustable, if desired.

[0027] If several slots are created, they may have differing widths.

[0028] When fabricating profiled sections having more than one channel,it may be provided that their channels have the same, or differing,profiles. It may also be provided that their channels and/or slots arearranged at various angles with to a reference surface on the profiledsections. For example, a mounting surface to be used for mounting theprofiled sections on a wall may serve as that reference surface.

[0029] In accordance with the invention, an elaboration may provide thatthe profiled section is a hollow shell, where the channel is arranged inthe interior of the hollow shell. Of course, it will also be feasible toconfigure the profiled section as an open shell, where, in this case,the channel will be arranged such that it is covered by a front wallfollowing installation.

[0030] In accordance with the invention, the slots in the mountingsurfaces may be used for accommodating seals, which will allow sealingthe joints where the installation unit mates to the wall. However, theslots also be used for mounting hygienic articles, which may be somewhatlonger and/or wider than the slots. Housing components foraccommodating, for example, shower heads, may also be fastened in placethere. Under some circumstances, fasteners for joining an installationunit to another installation unit may also be arranged in the slots ontheir mounting surfaces.

[0031] Other features, details, and benefits of the invention will beevident from the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of theinvention and from the figures, where the figures depict:

[0032]FIG. 1 a frontal view of a fully assembled holder for an overheadshower head, several side-mounting shower heads, and a shelf;

[0033]FIG. 2 a section through profiled stock used for manufacturingsuch a holder;

[0034]FIG. 3 a section through that profiled stock at another locationalong its length;

[0035]FIG. 4 a top view of another type of profiled stock that may beused for manufacturing a holder;

[0036]FIG. 5 a frontal view of an arrangement for configuring aninstallation unit that employs a profiled section assembled from twoprofiled sections;

[0037]FIG. 6 a schematic depiction of a section of profiled stock;

[0038]FIG. 7 a frontal view of another embodiment;

[0039]FIG. 8 a top view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 7;

[0040]FIG. 9 a side view of part of the housing that is attached to thearrangement shown in FIG. 7.

[0041]FIG. 1 depicts a frontal view of a fully assembled holder forhygienic articles. The holder comprises an elongated, verticallyoriented, profiled section 1 that may, for example, be installed in acorner where two walls meet. An overhead shower head 2 that is connectedto an operating panel 4 by a shower hose 3 is mounted on its uppersection. A shelf 5 that is wider than the profiled section 1 is mountedabove the operating panel 4. Controls 6, for example, controls forswitching between using the various shower heads, a knob for adjustingwater temperature, and a knob for adjusting the openings in the showerheads, are arranged on the operating panel. Situated on the profiledsection, below the operating panel 4, are several shower heads 7arranged midway between two lateral edges 8 of the profiled section 1.

[0042] As may be seen from the view of FIG. 1, there is a longitudinalslot 9 on the upper section of the front wall of the profiled section 1that terminates just above the shelf 5. A holder 10 for the overheadshower 2 in inserted into this slot 9 and may be moved up and down inthe slot. Further details thereof have not been shown, since suchfastening devices are well known.

[0043] Turning now to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 depicts the profiled section 1 asit appears immediately following its fabrication. The profiled sectionhas a closed wall that, in the case of the particular example shownhere, is in the shape of a convex arc. Its profiled outer surface 11 isbordered by a pair of mounting surfaces 12 that are disposed at a rightangle whose apex lies behind the profiled section with respect to oneanother. The mounting surfaces 12 are joined to one another by a planarbounding wall 13 situated behind the visible, profiled, front surface11, yielding a hollow shell. A longitudinal slot 14 that blends into arecess 15 that extends over the full length of the profiled section isformed in each of the mounting surfaces 12. This recess may be used foraccommodating a cover while the holder is being shipped.

[0044] A channel 16 having a tubular profile that is fully enclosed onall sides is formed in the interior of the hollow shell, directly on therear of the visible, front surface 11. This channel 16 is open only atboth ends of the profiled section. A bounding wall of the channel 16,namely, its front wall, is formed by the profiled outer surface 11. Thelateral dimension of the channel 16 increases with distance from thisfront surface, toward the center of the interior of the hollow shell,yielding a sort of swallow-tail-shaped cross-section for the enclosedchannel 16.

[0045] The channel 16 may be opened by creating a slot 9 in the frontwall 11 of the profiled section 1 that either extends over the fulllength of the profiled section or only over part of its length. FIG. 3depicts a view in which the channel 16 has been opened by such a slot 9.The slot 9 has a width that equals the distance between the lateralwalls of the channel immediately behind the bounding front wall 11 ofthe profiled section 1. The slot 9 is thus undercut. It would also befeasible to make the width of the slot less than the width of thechannel, which would allow making the slot 9 narrower. This slot may, asshown in FIG. 1, extend only over part of the length of the profiledsection. It may commence at one end of the profiled section or may beclosed on both of its ends. The slot 9 (cf. FIG. 1) may be used foraccommodating several hygienic articles, for example, the of atoothbrush glass as well, where holders that engage the walls of theslot 9 may also be asymmetric.

[0046]FIG. 4 depicts a view corresponding to that of FIG. 2 for anothertype of profiled section. Here as well, the profiled section 21 is inthe form of a hollow shell having a pair of mounting surfaces 12 and aplanar bounding wall 13. Three slots 9, each of which leads into achannel 26, have been created in its arced front wall 32. Of course, inthis case as well, the slots 9 might extend only over part of the lengthof the profiled section. Elements form mounting, for example, the shelf5 might be arranged in both of the outer slots 26. The center slot 26could be used for mounting the overhead shower head. Here again, theslots 9 are undercut in order that holders may be mounted on the edgesof the slots.

[0047] Both the profiled section of FIG. 2 and the profiled section ofFIG. 4 are symmetric with respect to a central plane.

[0048] The profiled sections may be installed in the corner of a room,in which case, the surfaces 12 may be used for mounting them on thewalls of the room. However, the profiled sections may also be mounted onthe flat surface of a wall instead of in a corner, in which case, theslots 14 may also be used for installing holders that hold articles onthe front surfaces of the profiled sections.

[0049]FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment where the installation unit has aprofiled section that is assembled from two profiled sections 31, 32. Inthe case of the example shown, the upper profiled section 31 has aslot-shaped opening 33 that is open on its lower end 34. Conversely, thelower profiled section 32 has a slot 35 that is open on its upper end36. Both profiled sections 31, 32 are arranged end to end and joined tothe operating panel 4. Fittings for connecting lines leading to, forexample, an overhead shower head situated in the slot-shaped opening 33might be arranged on the operating panel. These lines might be routed inthe channel over part of their lengths. The channel might also transportwater.

[0050]FIG. 6 depicts, a greatly simplified view of a profiled sectionwhere the slot-shaped opening 27 extends over the full length of theprofiled section. In this particular case, a limitation of the openingthat opens out onto the profiled outer surface may be achieved byinserting a profiled rod 28 into the channel situated behind the opening27 from one end. This profiled rod may have a cross-section that matchesthe internal cross-section of the channel, in which case, a fin 29 onthe front side of the profiled rod 28 may cover the slot-shaped opening27. The tip of the fin 29 may be flush with the profiled outer surfaceof the profiled section.

[0051] The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 7-9 illustrate another exampleof how the installation unit according to the invention may beconfigured and used. In this case, a housing component 30 that extendswell beyond the lateral edges of the profiled section 31, instead of arelatively small and simple operating unit 4 (cf. FIG. 5), is mounted onthe profiled section 31. The lateral wing of the housing component areangled such that its rear surface 41 lies in the same plane as themounting surfaces 12. If the profiled section 31 is installed in acorner of a room, then the rear surface 41 of the lateral wing of thehousing component 30 may contact the walls and be fastened there.

[0052] The front side of the housing component 30 is used foraccommodating, for example, a shelf 42, but may also be used foraccommodating a side-mounting shower head or operating controls forside-mounting shower heads. The housing component 30 may be mounted onthe profiled section by, for example, providing a holder, on the rearwall of the housing component 30, which faces the front surface of theprofiled section 31, that engages the slot therein, which is not shownin FIGS. 8 and 9. Since it is relatively large, this housing component30 might also be hung in the slots 14 in the mounting surfaces 12.

[0053] Configuring a housing component similar to the housing component30 such that the vicinities of both of its ends are suitably shaped formounting it on a profiled surface 31 is feasible, and falls under theinvention. An installation unit that has a of parallel, profiledsections could then be formed in the corner of a room or the corner of ashower stall using a pair of profiled sections 31.

[0054] The housing component 30 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-9 isconfigured such that it may be mounted upside down, i.e., such that itswing would extend to the right in FIG. 7, instead of to the left, asshown in FIG. 7, which may be achieved by, for example, providing thatfittings for connecting the shower hose may be installed on both its topand bottom.

[0055] Configuring a housing component 30 such that it has two lateralwings, which would then extend both to the left in FIG. 7 and to theright in FIG. 7, is also feasible, and falls under the invention.

1. An installation unit for plumbing fixtures that has 1.1 at least oneprofiled section (1, 21) for holding and attaching at least one hygienicarticle, where the profiled section (1, 21) has 1.1.1 a profiled surface(11, 22) on its front side, 1.2 at least one channel (16, 26) formed inthe profiled section (1, 21) that 1.2.1 extends over the full length ofthe profiled section (1, 21) and 1.2.2 whose cross-section borders onthe profiled surface (11, 22) and on 1.3 a longitudinal slot that 1.3.1opens the channel (16, 26) out onto the profiled surface (11, 22), where1.4 the opening extends only over part of the length of the installationunit when the installation unit has been final-manufactured.
 2. Aninstallation unit according to claim 1, wherein the opening extends onlyover part of the length of the profiled section (1, 21) when theinstallation unit has been final-manufactured.
 3. An installation unitaccording to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the profiled section (1, 21) isassembled from at least two profiled sections (31, 32) that are arrangedend to end.
 4. An installation unit according to any of the foregoingclaims, wherein the slot extends over the full length of the profiledsection (1, 21) after the profiled section has been fabricated and issubsequently closed over part of its length by at least one cover panel.5. An installation unit according to claim 4, wherein the cover ismounted on the front surface of the profiled section (1, 21).
 6. Aninstallation unit according to claim 4, wherein the cover is formed by aprofiled rod (28) situated in the channel (16, 26).
 7. An installationunit according to claim 6, wherein the profiled rod (28) fully fills thecross-section of the channel (16,26).
 8. An installation unit accordingto any of claims 1-3, wherein the channel (16, 26) is fully enclosed onall sides over the full length of the profiled section (1, 21) after theprofiled section (1, 21) has been fabricated and the opening issubsequently created, if desired.
 9. An installation unit according toclaim 1, wherein the cross-section of the channel (16, 26) is shapedsuch that its lateral dimension initially increases beyond the boundingwall formed by the profiled surface (11, 22).
 10. An installation unitaccording to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the profiled section(1, 21) and channel (11, 22) are symmetrically arranged.
 11. Aninstallation unit according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein thechannel (16, 26) for accommodating a hygienic article is opened by aslot (9) in the profiled surface (11, 22) over a certain portion of itslength.
 12. An installation unit according to claim 11, wherein the slot(9) is undercut.
 13. An installation unit according to any of theforegoing claims, wherein the hygienic article is held in the channel(16, 26) such that it may be slid along the full length of the slot (9)opening the channel.
 14. An installation unit according to any of theforegoing claims, wherein the channel (16, 26) is opened by solitaryslots (9) at several locations.
 15. An installation unit according toany of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one slot (9) extendsthrough the outer surface of the profiled section (1, 21).
 16. Aninstallation unit according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein atleast one slot (9) has a broadened section for introducing a hygienicarticle that may, preferably, be covered after a hygienic article hasbeen inserted.
 17. An installation unit according to any of theforegoing claims, wherein a hygienic article may be held and/or guidedin more than one channel (16, 26).
 18. An installation unit according toany of the foregoing claims that, if it has several slots (9), they havediffering widths.
 19. An installation unit according to any of theforegoing claims that, if it has several channels (16, 26), they havethe same or differing profiles.
 20. An installation unit according toany of the foregoing claims, wherein the channels (16, 26) and/or slots(9) have angles that differ from those of a bounding surface (12) of theprofiled section (1, 21).
 21. An installation unit according to any ofthe foregoing claims, wherein the profiled section (1, 21) has at leastone mounting surface (12) for mounting it on a wall.
 22. An installationunit according to claim 21, wherein at least one mounting surface (12)has longitudinal slots extending over its full length.
 23. Aninstallation unit according to claim 22, wherein seals are arranged inthe slots in the mounting surface (12).
 24. An installation unitaccording to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the profiled section(1, 21) is a hollow shell and the channel (16, 26) is arranged in theinterior of the hollow shell.
 25. An installation unit according to anyof the foregoing claims, wherein one hygienic article is a shower head.26. An installation unit according to any of the foregoing claims,wherein the channel (16, 26) is designed for transporting water.
 27. Aninstallation unit according to any of the foregoing claims that hasopenings for attaching shower heads.
 28. An installation unit accordingto any of the foregoing claims, wherein the channel (16, 26) is designedfor accommodating a hose, line, or similar.
 29. An installation unitaccording to any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one hygienicarticle is a dispenser for lotions or similar.
 30. An installation unitaccording to claim 29, wherein the material to be dispensed istransported through the channel by a line.
 31. An installation unitaccording to claim 30, wherein the channel serves as a reservoir for atleast part of the material to be dispensed and the dispenser is arrangedin an opening that is connected to the channel.
 32. An installation unitaccording to any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one of thearticles to be held is a lamp.